Dennis and Diablo walked along a ruined street littered with the corpses of humans and monsters alike, a testament to the brutality of the apocalypse. Such sights no longer shocked them; they had roamed from place to place, aiding survivors while steadily growing stronger.
Dennis now stood at Level 8 Ascendant, while Diablo had reached Level 4 Ascendant.
"This quest will be difficult for the unawakened," Diablo muttered.
"Yes," Dennis replied, his tone firm. "Especially when they're forced to kill five monsters in just two days."
Diablo tilted his head. "So… are we going to help them?"
"Of course," Dennis said matter-of-factly. "Helping them also helps us. The stronger we get, the closer we are to freedom."
Over time, Dennis had witnessed Diablo's growth firsthand. His raw, explosive strength shocked him, especially the reckless movements Diablo displayed, as if he cared nothing for his own body. Yet what unsettled Dennis most was Diablo's aura. It invoked fear in those weaker, confirming his suspicion: Diablo was a sovereign like him. The only difference was that Dennis had been born a sovereign, innately awakened when the apocalypse began, while Diablo had somehow earned that status later.
Dennis had tried using Appraisal to uncover the secret of Diablo's evolution, but his skill was blocked by an unknown force.
"Hey, Dennis." Diablo's voice was softer now, his eyes fixed on the sky.
"How do you think it all ends?"
Dennis fell silent. He didn't know. The road ahead promised blood and sacrifice, many would die, few would live. Yet his resolve never wavered. His only anchor was his obsession: to grow strong enough to free the world, no matter the cost.
He looked skyward, at the blazing sun that seemed indifferent to human suffering, still spreading warmth and light as though nothing had changed. He drew in a deep breath.
"I don't know how it will end. What I do know is this: the present shapes the future. Whether we'll be free in the end, or just pawns for the gods to play with and I don't care. I'll still fight the gods."
His voice brimmed with defiance, his lips curling into an arrogant smile as a majestic aura burst from him.
Diablo's grin widened.
:Nothing can break this man's spirit.' he thought.
"You seem to have forgotten something," Diablo said.
Dennis raised a brow. "What?"
"You're not the only one who is going to have all the fun fighting the gods. I'll be right there beside you and thank them for giving me this new life by ripping them apart." Diablo's eyes gleamed with vigor.
As if mocking their determination, monsters of varying shapes suddenly materialized before them. Instead of fear, the sight only hardened their convictions.
"It begins," Dennis whispered, drawing his sword.
"Heh, then let's cut them down." Diablo hefted his crude club, he didn't slice enemies, he smashed them to pieces.
They charged forward. Dennis's strikes were clean and powerful, slightly overwhelming the monsters, while Diablo fought more recklessly, struggling to land a killing blow but moving with blistering speed.
Elsewhere, chaos unfolded.
"What the hell?!" James shouted as he clashed against a towering beast. His dual knives trembled against its hide. Weeks ago, he would've been helpless, but as a Level 4 Ascendant, he could at least fight back, though he was clearly losing ground and still beaten black and blue by the monster.
Collins fared better than James but he was still in a worse situation. Armed with his machete, he battled two monsters at once. Beside him, Amara moved like a shadow, striking only when the beasts exposed a weakness, supporting Collins from the flanks.
They had just exited the forest when the monsters ambushed them, forcing them into a desperate battle.
Collins staggered back, gasping for breath, thinking of what to do. Summoning his Status Window, he scowled. His Information Manipulation was a non-combat skill. No abilities could save him here, but only his raw stats.
«STRENGTH: 26
AGILITY: 28
AVAILABLE POINTS: 15»
He gritted his teeth, distributing the points swiftly.
«STRENGTH: 34
AGILITY: 35»
His body instantly felt lighter, stronger. Time seemed to slow as his perception sharpened. He could feel the little changes in his body. Collins dashed forward, vanishing from the monster's sight. He reappeared behind one beast, slashing with incredible force. Though its hide withstood the blow, but the impact hurled it backward. Spinning, Collins drove his fist into another monster's gut, sending it flying.
James, pausing mid-fight, gawked.
'This apocalypse has turned a book-nerd into a monster fighter… but how the hell did he do it?!'
He glanced at his own Status Window. No skills yet… but he did have something else, something he never had the chance to use. His Attribute.
"Fine," he muttered. "Let's see what this can do."
«ACTIVATING ATTRIBUTE
ATTRIBUTE: THE GIFTED HOODLUM»
Outwardly, nothing changed, but inside, James's mind surged with countless battle strategies and martial techniques, as though carved into his soul long ago. His aura shifted. Gone was the clumsy brawler. In his place stood a seasoned warrior. He dashed towards the monster.
The monster swung its claws at him. James slipped past with ease, eyes narrowed. He studied its defenses. Every inch of its hide was filled with incredible defence, except the eyes. That was its sole weakness.
And James was ready to exploit it.